US4 min(s) read
Published 13:26 09 May 2026 GMT
When Kristin Smart disappeared after a college party in 1996, her family began a decades-long search for answers that continues today.
Now, nearly three decades later, investigators say they have uncovered major new evidence suggesting human remains were once present at the California home linked to the family of her convicted killer.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this week that officials served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, the mother of Paul Flores, who was convicted in 2022 of murdering Smart.
Although Smart’s remains have not yet been found, Sheriff Ian Parkinson revealed that scientific testing strongly points to evidence of human decomposition at the property.
"We believe that based on what we’re looking at evidence-wise - scientific-wise - that a human’s remains were there at one time - or still there," he said, per The Sun. "We can’t call it Kristin, but there’s evidence to support human remains."
Scientists specializing in soil analysis and human decomposition were seen taking ground samples from the Flores' property this week.
Tim Nelligan, a soil vapor testing expert, confirmed that investigators were searching for volatile organic compounds associated with decomposing human remains.
"I’m not going to go into the details, other than just to say with soil tests, it’s about the compounds in the soil that are related to a human, decomposing body," Parkinson explained, per PEOPLE.
Authorities also used ground-penetrating radar during the search and said they are committed to thoroughly examining the home before leaving.
"We made the agreement that internally that we are not leaving that house until we are sure that we have checked everything," the sheriff said.
The Flores property had already been searched twice before, including shortly after Smart vanished, but investigators found no evidence at the time.
Smart was a 19-year-old freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo when she disappeared over Memorial Day weekend in 1996.
After drinking at an off-campus party, she reportedly passed out on a lawn before two students helped walk her toward her dorm.
Paul later joined the group and reportedly offered to escort her the rest of the way because his dorm was nearby. She was never seen again.
Smart was legally declared dead in 2002, and prosecutors later alleged Flores raped and killed her before burying her body beneath a deck at his father Ruben's, home. According to prosecutors, the remains were later moved.
Paul was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after his murder conviction in 2022. Ruben was arrested alongside him in 2021 but was later acquitted of accessory charges.
Susan has never been charged in connection with the case.
Smart’s family said they are hopeful the latest search could finally bring answers after 30 years.
"We remain hopeful that this current search will be successful and look forward to the outcome," the family said in a statement to The Sun.
"However, we’ve been waiting 30 years to bring Kristin home, so we have learned to be patient," the statement continued, adding that it feels like the "stars are lining up" as the 30th anniversary of Smart’s disappearance approaches.
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